Look up the definition of beauty in the dictionary.
1. a combination of qualities, such as shape, color, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight.
2. a beautiful or pleasing thing or person, in particular.
Beauty is not defined by one source. It's the collective conscious of a place and a people. It is the manifestation of the current zeitgeist. It contains the history of a culture and the revolution of a generation. It is in flux at all times. So, how do you define beauty? It is the simplest of questions but the most complex of answers. My life's work has been dedicated to the very question and my answer changes with each patient and each case I work on. Shape, Color and Form. The triumvirate of beauty that have shaped my career. Every smile I am blessed to craft is guided by these three pillars and I am constantly chasing their perfect harmony for each face.
Because I have spent three decades in search of beauty as a Master Ceramist, I am a constant fixture at art exhibits and galleries, as I inquire from the great artists of past and present how they defined the ever elusive word. I decided it was time that I stepped out of my comfort zone and begin to speak to the thought leaders in the beauty industry where they find their answers. I came to America as a teenager and while heavily influenced by my new home, I have never left the foundation of my beauty ideals back in Korea. It is for this reason I decided to start my exploration in the place where I was born.
I traveled to Seoul with my team to interview some of the leading professionals in the landscape of style, fashion and beauty.
Magazine editors, makeup artists, actors, and models. I wanted to put them under the light literally and figuratively for a photo session where I could ask them how beauty has defined them. How has it shaped their careers and how has its ever changing definition changed them as well?
I hope to take you on my journey as I search for the way we find beauty in the world around us.
Jason J. Kim
Beauty can be balance and harmony. Both inside and outside are equally important in any viewpoint. For the definition of style, those words are more than enough in
: “My name is JUNG Saemmool, I am a makeup & fine artist.”
: “Beauty is uniqueness. Uniqueness is the meaning of each individual. Individuals have their own beauty significance.”
: "Korea is fast in every way Koreans are quick to accept to be beautiful and are good at recreating it as their own. And we do not want to be seen as someone other than us. They want their own beauty.”
: "Korea is fast in every way Koreans are quick to accept to be beautiful and are good at recreating it as their own. And we do not want to be seen as someone other than us. They want their own beauty.”
: “The essence of K-Beauty recognizes the beauty of my uniqueness. At the same time, it recognizes the inherent beauty of others. I don’t think K-Beauty will end with a short fad. It will always continue to evolve.”
: “Makeup must have a person’s face. So I have a love for people.This is the driving force in my passion.I can’t have this job without affection for people.
: “My name is KANG Julia Juyeon
I have been working as a fashion editor for a long time. I’m the former editor in chief for ELLE Korea, And I am famous for my red hair and red lips.”
: “Sincere or true.”
: “When I was young.
I thought it was stylish to be fashionable. Now I think it is not just a luxurious taste, But a definition of style that is your own taste.”
: “I did not think this day would come. It is fortunate that Seoul, South Korea is recognized as a hip, hot and sophisticated place worldwide. Korean musicians, movie stars and many talents have played a big role. And Korea’s economic growth has contributed to Seoul’s global popularity.”
: “It surprises me when I use K-Beauty products and how Korea’s cosmetics industry has peaked. Korea’s beauty industry has gained a worldwide reputation because of the high level of taste, know-how and knowledge of Korean women’s beauty.”
: “It is one of the issues that I am worrying about now. I think it is my duty to help my juniors do better in the field. Until I can fulfill this duty, it is my dream that I continue this work.”
: “My name is JUNG Woosung
I am a Korean actor.”
: “Beauty exists in the will of one Who is trying to keep its own essence.”
: “Style is important.
It is called embellishment. It is also shaping onethe self.
Style in life is to find something that suits you.”
: “The style of Seoul is a fast paced building process. the People are smart too. As the world is interested in Seoul, Korea is also interested in the world. Korea is also good at accommodating people to a new culture. Building is still the process of making style Seoul.”
: “Koreans have a lot of talent. It is people who are familiar with self-development.. So, from our perspective, K-Culture’s popularity is natural.It is our task to try to keep the diaspora and the popularity disappearing. I think my forecast will continue to be maintained.”
: “If I had a son when I was younger and he wanted to be a movie star, it was unconditionally favorable. However now, my views have changed since it’s a tough job. But still, shooting a movie is attractive. I will continue to perform until the age of 80 years old. I am happiest in this field.”
: “My name is KIM Jaehyun
I am a fashion designer.”
: “Harmony,
Beauty is balance and harmony.”
: “Style to me is my own free style. To be able to express oneself.”
: "In my opinion Seoul feels culturally new. There seem to be a lot of things that young people like, including their culture for movies and music.
: “K-Beauty produces what consumers want.”
: “First, I do not want to grow old, inside or out. So exercise is the best way. And it is also important to be mentally rejuvenated. Meeting a lot of young people that share the same taste. I did not have to make an effort when I was young. Anything that should be effort now.”
: “My name is HAN Heayoun
I am a stylist.”
: “The color of a person, Beauty should show the color of the personsomeone. Being nice and pretty is not enough.
: “Style is all to me. My style exists in every lifestyle I choose. This is my work, but it is also my pleasure. It is my life.”
: “With the heat of the Korean Wave, The traditional beauty of Korea is already well known all over the world. Now, the modern beauty of Seoul is newly emerging.”
: “The first impression foreigners feel For Korean women is the sophisticated beauty. This is a decisive reason for K-Beauty popularity. K-Beauty is excellent in makeup technology to maximize natural beauty. For this reason, the world will want to follow.
: “I have no plans to work as a stylist forever. But I still have my fun, I love my work more than I hate, So I am still doing this.”
: “My name is LEE Haeyoung
I am an artist & actress”
: “Without worrying about other people’s gaze or words keeping my thoughts about my beauty.”
: “It is my life. I feel good when the style is nice.”
: “I was a singer, designer, and now an actress and artist. My view of Seoul is swag. Seoul is witty and quick, And accommodates the culture of other countries well It has the ability to recreate it.”
: “Because Koreans are smart,They develop their own personality well.”
: “I became a celebrity at an early age. At that age, too many of people’s attention was painful.However, this situation and experience of suffering Taught me how to express emotions..These experiences led me the way.
: “My name is SUNG Bumsoo
I am the creative director of Arena Homme Plus magazine.”
: “It is a personal taste that always makes me smile.”
: “Style is personality. It is a way of expressing me, When these come out, the style is complete. The style satisfies me and at the same time satisfies the look from others.”
: “The style of Seoul is unique. Seoul is fast changing, At the same time, the image of the past coexists. Because of this, it forms a city I have never seen before. So the world is paying attention.”
: “K-Beauty is globally unique.The global trend of the beauty industry is naturalism, K-Beauty not only strives for naturalism but also a medical approach. Korean beauty brands presents A new paradigm in the beauty industry. Therefore, I think K-Beauty will continue to grow.”
: “Combining my thoughts and my information creates challenging moments for me which excite me. Although it’s hard, nonetheless it makes me happy.”
: “My name is KO Wonhye
I am a makeup artist.”
:“Natural, Naturalness is the most beautiful.”
: “Style is your own thing, express yourself.”
: “The people of Seoul take the worlds’ trend the fastest.
So if you express the style of Seoul in one word, it would be…trendy.”
: “K-Beauty can be loved for a long time. It must maintain a balance of lightness, trendiness and classical naturalness. The success factor of K-Beauty is the growth of our nation. Korea has become such a powerful country.”
: “Not too little not too much
Just like my character. As a makeup artist, I was more focused on basic cosmetic than on color cosmetics.”
: “My name is KANG Soyoung, And I am a model.”
: Koreans are very interested in beauty, because simply, we like to do makeup. I think K-Beauty is gaining popularity around the world because it is fashionable and we are naturally interested and attracted to it.
: Being natural, this feeling is important. Because I am a model, It is the definition of style that I can show myself well without talking.”
: “Seoul is a rapidly changing city,and at the same time, there are places that maintain the traditional style of Korea.The advantage of having a lot of diversity is the charm of Seoul.”
: “ Koreans are very interested in beauty, because simply, we like to do makeup. I think K-Beauty is gaining popularity around the world because it is fashionable and we are naturally interested and attracted to it.”
: “When I hear this question, I have many thoughts, I like to make things with my hands, I am also interested in fashion and beauty as a model, I want to share my interests with people. But there is no concrete plan yet.”
: “My name is NAM Hyeyeon
I am a journalist for ‘‘Sports Seoul’ - National Entertainment newspaper.”
:“I think the mind of a person is revealed through the face.
The person’s beauty is revealed in his attitude towards other people.”
: “My favorite style,
A style that makes me feel good.”
: “The charm of Seoul is that the present and the past coexist.
Seoul is the place to create newnessinnovation
and investment for theinvesting in the future without forsaking the past.”
: “K-Beauty easily reaches consumers.
It is not too expensive, and many ideas
that complement the consumer’s shortcoming.”
: “Korean films are constantly challenging the world market.
Many Korean directors are making this efforts.
For example, in the case of director BONG Joonho,
He is making films with Netflix in collaboration.in collaboration with Netflix.
In the near future,
Korean movies will be loved by more and more people around the worldworldwide.”